A winter warmer, a wine of many styles and a name or two!
Reading in the most resent edition of the Decanter Magazine “February 2011″ “Top 50 Syrahs’ under £25.
The article cover wines from Rhone, Regional France, Australia, Chile and South Africa. Each region is cover by a different Wine writer , Stephan Brook writes on Rhone, (Decanter consultant editor, an awarded author and wine judge),( Rosemary George MW is a wine writer, author and judge who also writes a blog on the Languedoc, )www.tastelanguedoc.blogspot.com She reviews wine of Regional France. Australia is reviewed by Matthew Jukes( wine correspondent for the Daily Mail, he writes annual wine guides for the UK and Australia and created the 100 best Australian Wines list),Chile is reviewed by Anthony Rose( a wine columnist for the Independent, an awarded wine writer and judge) and South Africa is reviewed by John Platter (is South Africa’s foremost wine authority, he produces annually the John Platter guide which rates over 6,000 of the country’s wines).
They article is most informative in style , explaining why Syrah/Shiraz is best suited to these regions and the style of wine it creates due the combination of soil types, climate viticulture and vinification methods used and the then go on to list 50 of the best valued Syrahs under £25.
As is the case with alot of these recommendations it is some times hard to source the wines, unless you live in the UK.
But on this occasion these wines are available on the Northern Market.
Under the Rhone they recommended”M Chapoutier, Les Meysonniers, Crozes-Hermitage 2006 four stars/16.5 points out of 20.
The tasting note, is “Bright cherry and raspberry nose. Ripe , sleek and forward, but balanced and will keep. Drink: 2011-2014 as yet I have not tasted it but will do in the next week or so as we do stock some of their range and it is a really good range price will be approx; £13.00 I am looking forward to this and then it will be available in the wine shop. Up date you when I taste it.
From Regional France Rosemary George as recommended A red from Chateau Mourgues du Gres, Terre d’ Agence, Costieres de Nimes 2007, she gives it 5 stars and 18.5points. This is range of wines that we stock in the shop but this is not yet available here . I review this winery last year and there wines are of excellent quality, the red that is available here currently from there range is “Les Galets Rouge” which is a blend of Syrah (65%), Grenache (25%), Mourvedre(5%) and Carignan (5%). On the day I tasted a 2008 vintage, aromas of red fruits, mild spices and a hint of liquorice. A balanced wine with soft tannins, pack with fruit notes and a hint of spice, a smooth elegant wine which can be served on its own or served with lamb or beef. This winery receives reviews regularly in Decanter, The Wine Advocate, Robert Parker, and Guide Hachette . So if you have the pleasure of seeing a wine from the Chateau do taste and you will be well pleased.
One point of note which “Rosemary George ” highlighted was the availability of pure Syrah, stating that you really need to look for Vin de Pays, most commonly Vin de Pays d’Oc, or one of the smaller more localised Vin de Pays, or closer to the Rhone Valley in Vin de Pays de l’Ardeche. You will be richly rewarded. The climate and terrior of the Midi suit Syrah admirably.” (Decanter Feb 2011)
If you are into your Australian Shiraz’s Mathew Jukes as recommend some really top end wines which are also available here.
They like of Clonakilla, Hilltops Shiraz, Canberra District 2008 5 stars/19 points, or Plantagenet, Shiraz , Great Southern, Western Australia 2007 4 stars/18 points
Australia is producing some exceptional Shiraz’s under the £25 mark , wines which are well worth considering for that special occasion. They styles are many in no short measure to , the considerable vine age, wine making skills, soil types, vintage conditions and the individual micro-climates and at this level the winemakers skill in making wines of many different styles with fine nuances !
Another wine of note, although a blend is “d’Arenberg McLaren Vale d’Arrys Original Shiraz Grenache , which was recently reviewed by David Whealan on TV 3 Morning Ireland programme. The d’Arenberg range is a beautiful crafted range with care and attention to detail.For some one who like a blend this is a masterpiece and shows what a wine can be like when old vines are used , with natural minimum processing practises (no fining or filtration) The nose opens with berry fruit notes , raspberry, blueberry and plum stone and on the palate, with notes of cherry and plums, with dark chocolate , mocha and blackberry emerging, full bodied with an earthy character and a spicy finish , drinking on release a wine which will age for up to ten years.Great value at £12.95 .
They also recommended wines from Chile and South Africa. As with all the other recommendations some of the wines are available here, wines from South Africa which are available here are and one of note is “La Motte, Pierneef Shiraz-Viognier, Franschhoek 2008 4 stars /17points, a well crafted wine from an exceptional winery. “The 9%Viognier is barely discernible. From one of the Cape’s no-expense-spared establishments, this is big and bold but spliced with a minerally tautness cutting the cloves and mulberries in black chocolate. Very long finish. From four mainly maritime-influenced vineyards. Aged 16 months in French oak, partly new. Drink:2011- 2018.
A wine which I have tasted in a number of vintages and there is always a consistence, it is well placed with Meerlust, Chocolate Block and Boekenhoutskloof, Syrah, and good value .
This article proves that Shiraz/Syrah is a wine of great potential, with many styles, grown in many countries, but with a consistency and it shows that there are some show stoppers out there for under £25.
It highlights two important points of interest, develop a good relationship with your local Independent wine merchant as the will stock some of these wonderful wines, or great alternatives and for light but informative reading you can’t go far wrong with a monthly copy of Decanter Magazine a great gift to give to some one who is interested in wines.
Syrah or (Shiraz)
A winter warmer, a wine of many styles and a name or two!
Reading in the most resent edition of the Decanter Magazine “February 2011″ “Top 50 Syrahs’ under £25.
The article cover wines from Rhone, Regional France, Australia, Chile and South Africa. Each region is cover by a different Wine writer , Stephan Brook writes on Rhone, (Decanter consultant editor, an awarded author and wine judge),( Rosemary George MW is a wine writer, author and judge who also writes a blog on the Languedoc, )www.tastelanguedoc.blogspot.com She reviews wine of Regional France. Australia is reviewed by Matthew Jukes( wine correspondent for the Daily Mail, he writes annual wine guides for the UK and Australia and created the 100 best Australian Wines list),Chile is reviewed by Anthony Rose( a wine columnist for the Independent, an awarded wine writer and judge) and South Africa is reviewed by John Platter (is South Africa’s foremost wine authority, he produces annually the John Platter guide which rates over 6,000 of the country’s wines).
They article is most informative in style , explaining why Syrah/Shiraz is best suited to these regions and the style of wine it creates due the combination of soil types, climate viticulture and vinification methods used and the then go on to list 50 of the best valued Syrahs under £25.
As is the case with alot of these recommendations it is some times hard to source the wines, unless you live in the UK.
But on this occasion these wines are available on the Northern Market.
Under the Rhone they recommended”M Chapoutier, Les Meysonniers, Crozes-Hermitage 2006 four stars/16.5 points out of 20.
The tasting note, is “Bright cherry and raspberry nose. Ripe , sleek and forward, but balanced and will keep. Drink: 2011-2014 as yet I have not tasted it but will do in the next week or so as we do stock some of their range and it is a really good range price will be approx; £13.00 I am looking forward to this and then it will be available in the wine shop. Up date you when I taste it.
From Regional France Rosemary George as recommended A red from Chateau Mourgues du Gres, Terre d’ Agence, Costieres de Nimes 2007, she gives it 5 stars and 18.5points. This is range of wines that we stock in the shop but this is not yet available here . I review this winery last year and there wines are of excellent quality, the red that is available here currently from there range is “Les Galets Rouge” which is a blend of Syrah (65%), Grenache (25%), Mourvedre(5%) and Carignan (5%). On the day I tasted a 2008 vintage, aromas of red fruits, mild spices and a hint of liquorice. A balanced wine with soft tannins, pack with fruit notes and a hint of spice, a smooth elegant wine which can be served on its own or served with lamb or beef. This winery receives reviews regularly in Decanter, The Wine Advocate, Robert Parker, and Guide Hachette . So if you have the pleasure of seeing a wine from the Chateau do taste and you will be well pleased.
One point of note which “Rosemary George ” hig
hlighted was the availability of pure Syrah, stating that you really need to look for Vin de Pays, most commonly Vin de Pays d’Oc, or one of the smaller more localised Vin de Pays, or closer to the Rhone Valley in Vin de Pays de l’Ardeche. You will be richly rewarded. The climate and terrior of the Midi suit Syrah admirably.” (Decanter Feb 2011)
If you are into your Australian Shiraz’s Mathew Jukes as recommend some really top end wines which are also available here.
They like of Clonakilla, Hilltops Shiraz, Canberra District 2008 5 stars/19 points, or Plantagenet, Shiraz , Great Southern, Western Australia 2007 4 stars/18 points
Australia is producing some exceptional Shiraz’s under the £25 mark , wines which are well worth considering for that special occasion. They styles are many in no short measure to , the considerable vine age, wine making skills, soil types, vintage conditions and the individual micro-climates and at this level the winemakers skill in making wines of many different styles with fine nuances !
Another wine of note, although a blend is “d’Arenberg McLaren Vale d’Arrys Original Shiraz Grenache , which was recently reviewed by David Whealan on TV 3 Morning Ireland programme. The d’Arenberg range is a beautiful crafted range with care and attention to detail.For some one who like a blend this is a masterpiece and shows what a wine can be like when old vines are used , with natural minimum processing practises (no fining or filtration) The nose opens with berry fruit notes , raspberry, blueberry and plum stone and on the palate, with notes of cherry and plums, with dark chocolate , mocha and blackberry emerging, full bodied with an earthy character and a spicy finish , drinking on release a wine which will age for up to ten years.Great value at £12.95
.
They also recommended wines from Chile and South Africa. As with all the other recommendations some of the wines are available here, wines from South Africa which are available here are and one of note is “La Motte, Pierneef Shiraz-Viognier, Franschhoek 2008 4 stars /17points, a well crafted wine from an exceptional winery. “The 9%Viognier is barely discernible. From one of the Cape’s no-expense-spared establishments, this is big and bold but spliced with a minerally tautness cutting the cloves and mulberries in black chocolate. Very long finish. From four mainly maritime-influenced vineyards. Aged 16 months in French oak, partly new. Drink:2011- 2018.
A wine which I have tasted in a number of vintages and there is always a consistence, it is well placed with Meerlust, Chocolate Block and Boekenhoutskloof, Syrah, and good value .
This article proves that Shiraz/Syrah is a wine of great potential, with many styles, grown in many countries, but with a consistency and it shows that there are some show stoppers out there for under £25.
It highlights two important points of interest, develop a good relationship with your local Independent wine merchant as the will stock some of these wonderful wines, or great alternatives and for light but informative reading you can’t go far wrong with a monthly copy of Decanter Magazine a great gift to give to some one who is interested in wines.